Week-in-Review: APC moves for next plan as reactions trail Obaseki’s victory

The past week in Nigeria has witnessed an important change in the history of Nigeria.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Sunday, September, 20 announced Governor Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the Saturday’s election.

Obaseki, who contested under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 307,955 votes to defeat, Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 223,619.

Obaseki’s victory has attracted a lot of reactions nationwide.

One surprising results from the election that has got people talking, was when Obaseki won Ize-Iyamu’s local government area with 3000 votes.

At the collation centre, the PDP members screamed in joy and hugged one another after the declaration by the returning Officer for the election, Prof Akpofure Rim-Ruke.

Outside the hall, the party supporters defied the heavy presence of policemen manning the INEC office at Ikpoba Hill, where they gathered to celebrate the victory of the governor.

Following his declaration as the winner of the Saturday's election, Governor Godwin Obaseki commended Edo people for his re-election.

He described his re-election as “triumph over godfatherism”.

He said, “Words fail me in saluting our teeming supporters who displayed immense courage in the face of threats, intimidation, and brutalisation.

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“The collective will of Edo people made it possible for us to triumph over godfatherism. Congratulations to Edo people.”

President Muhammadu Buhari also congratulated Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki on his re-election.

He said, ‘’I have consistently advocated for free and fairelections in the country because it is the bedrock of true democratic order.

“Democracy will mean nothing if the votes of the people don’t count or if their mandate is fraudulently tampered with.’’

But in his reaction, Ize-Iyamu said, ‘’I hereby thank and appreciate my teeming supporters, who have had to endure many evils including being prevented from exercising their franchise, for their support and determination during the election process.

“I assure you all that I am studying the results along with other party members and will announce the next line of action soon. God bless you all.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo also rejected the results of the governorship election.

The party cited strong-arm tactics for the rejection.

It declared there was foul play during the election, insisting the results were skewed in favour of Obaseki.

Edo APC called on members and all lovers of democracy to stay calm, while leaders of the party would study the results and decide on the next line of action.

In a statement by Chairman of its Media Campaign Council, Prince John Mayaki, the APC maintained the party’s governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, was robbed of victory.

It said: “Our people were arbitrarily arrested, many of the figures were fabricated. There was illicit tampering with results, to shore up PDP’s numbers and mark down APC’s.

 “Areas where we won, they cancelled the results. They decreased the votes in areas we had advantage. They rejected our results and jerked up theirs.

“There was arbitrary arrest of local party members, who could have resisted the outrage, while Obaseki was busy diverting attention with false alarm.

“Obaseki shouted that he was being rigged out and blamed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the initial stage, but that was to divert attention from the evil going on in the field.”